Sign-exhibiting machine



A. J. FREEMAN.

SIGN EXHIBITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 3, I919.

ATTORNEY A. J. FREEMAN.

SIGN EXHIBITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR- 3, 1919.

Patented Feb. 3, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Arthur ffice mam,

IN VENTO R lmldl H NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE; v

ARTHUR'J. FREEMAN, or ALAMEDA, onnii onnm, ssrcnon T0 OTTO ADAMS, oFsAN FRANCISCO, GALIFORNIA.

SIGN-EXHIBITZNG MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 3, 1920.

Application filed April 3, 1919. Serial No. 287,340.

To all whom "it may concern: 1

Be it known that I, riirrizon J. F EEMAN, a citizen of the United tates, residing at Alameda, in the county of Alameda and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sign- Exhibiting ltlachines of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to sign exhibiting machines and particularly to the type of device which comprises a housing in which are a plurality of indicating cards that are successively di' layed through an opening in the housing.

One of the principal objects of my 'invention to provide a machine of this character in which both sides of the cards are exposed to view and in this manner to reduce the number of cards required and so the size of machine, or to givedouble the number of displays for a given size ma-- chine. A further object is to provide a simple and effective mechanism for moving the cards into position and to provide. a simple electric contact mechanism by which other devices .inay be synchronously operated with the displays on the individual cards. I also provide a novel form of card carrier in which two cards are held back to back and which enables them to be quickly changed.

WViththese and other objects in view my invention consists of certain novelfeatures of construction,combinations and arrangements of parts, hereinafter described and more specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

Reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a, part of the specifica- Figure 1 is a viewin perspectiveshowing my in'iproved sign eiihibitor.

Fig. 2 is a view in end elevation with the cover shown in section.

F3 a view partly in rear elevation and partly in section.

Fig. l is a View in section on i i, Figu 3. i i

Fig. 5 is a "view in section on the line t an 3.

Fig. 6 is a fra'gn'ientary perspective View of the line one corner of a card carrier andthe means by which they are moved.

-ing lock 6. These plates are spaced from ing a slot 16 which conncctsslots13 andl l.

placed in the carriers with their unprinted ends of the clip and have revolublymounted Fig. 7 is an enlarged view in cross section through one edge of the card carrier.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional View on the line 8 8, Fig. 3. p 1

Referring to corresponding parts in the several views by the same numerals of reference, 1 denotes in general a housing having floor board 5 to which are attached blocks 6. Above each of these blocks is a fiat rectaiigular plate 7, which is set slightly back of the outer side face of the correspondthe rear surface of the frame 3 and from the upper surface of theblocks 6 to form slots 13 and Drespectivcly. The plates areattached, to the blocks by n'ieans of brackets 8 which are recessedopposite the slots 9 to permit the passage of certainparts of the card carriers. ,A. plate 10, semi-circular around its upper edge, is attached to the upper end of plate 7, by means of brackets 11 which are similar to brackets 8. :This construction forms a slot 12 which isparallel to slot 9. A. similar slot leis formed at the rear of plate 7 by the strip 15, and this strip is continued in a semi-circle concentric to the upper end of plate 10, thereby form- 5 The signs comprise cards whichmay be printed on both sides, or may be made up of two cards, each printed on: one side and sides back to back. These cards areheld 1n a carrier 18, which comprises U-shapedpar- 'allel clips 18, intlie bottom of which are rods 19. The latter project from "the grooved rollers 20. The clips are connected to each other by flexible strips 21, whichare attached to the rods and are centrallylocated in the clips. When in positionl the cards have their top and bottomed'ges}heldinlthe clips 18, and their side edges attached to the strips 21 by means such as fastehersQl'.

The mechanism for moving the card carriers consists of the endless chains 22, spaced outside of the plates 7, and provided on the sides adjacent thereto with carrier lugs Each of these lugs comprises two parallel arms 24, from the upper of which extends an inclined guide 25. A second set of lugs 26, spaced approximately half way around the chain, is provided for the purpose of operating certain mechanism hereinafter described. Chain 22 is supported in the upper part of the housing by idler wheels 30, which are concentrically mounted with respect to the slot 16. That part of the chain adjacent the frame 3 is parallel to the slot 13, while that portion at the rear oi": the housing is inclined rearwardly wih respect to the bottom 01" the slot 14.

lftevolublymounted in the blocks 6, is a shaft 31 to which is attached toothed sprocket wheels 32, and which drive the chains At the bottom of the rear strand of chain small spring depressed idler wheel 83, about which il which 1naintains a uniform tension on the same. Elhaft 31 is driven by means of a threaded worm engaging the toothed worm wheel 36. The worm is mounted on the same shaft which carries the grooved pulle 38, which in turn is driven by belt l-l from motor 40. On the shaft 31 is also mounted an electric circuit make and break device, by which the lamp 4L9 on the face of the frame is constantly flashed.

On the inside of: the plates are revolubly mounted a plurality of rollers 42, the outer edges ofwhich are substantially tangential to the edge or the plate; These rollers serve to support the edge of the card carriers as they move around the top of the machine.

Gscillatively mounted on the shafts which carry the wheels are spring depressed arms l? and 4st. The former extends towvard the front of the machine and has formed thereon, a hook $5, the forward edge of which is inclined rearwardly. The under edges or" these arms rest on the projectmg ends or" the rods 19, and one of these rods'contacting wi h the inclined face of hook i -5, lifts the arm to enable the rod to move thereunder. The other arm is also provided with a hook 1-7, the inner edge of whichis inclined in the same direction as the outer edge of n. 4C3. This enables the carriers to lift the arm and move from thereunder, while the tension of the spring on the arm is sutlicient to prevent movement of the carriers the wrong time.

The carriers are moved in. slot 12 by means of pivotally mounted bell-cranks that have arms 51,the lower ends of which are posh tioned between tlr rollers 20 and the arms 43, and rear edges of which engage the rod 19. .The other arm of each bell-crank is engaged by the forked end. of the spring retracted lever 53. This lever is in turn pivotally mounted as at 54:, and is operated by one of the lugs 26. Spaced outside of plates the chai oassos and 10 are arcuate guides 50, the function of which is to support the under side of the lugs 26, when the latter contact with the lever 53, and thus prevent a twisting strain on the chain.

Attached to strip 15, directly opposite the slots 9 and 13, are small plates 55 which in the same plane as plates 7 and 10. These guides serve to engage the rollers 20, as they leave contact with plate 7 and thus prevent any end movement of the carriers. This loss of contact is due to the fact that for practical reasons the corners of the plate are slightly rounded and only occurs at these corners. Opposite each slot 12 there is also provided an angle guide 56, which is positioned close to the side and baclr of the chain 22 and makes certain that the chain remains in contact with the idler 30.

Atthe bottom of slot the corner of plate 7 well rounded oil as shown at 57, and in the corner between slots 13 and 9,

there is an angular block 58, having a width equal to the rollers 20 and disposed in the path thereof. In operation, this block engages the rollers as they are moved down by the clips 23 and causes them to move laterally until the rod is disengaged from the clip. 7

Below the bottom of the pack of card carriers is a narrow piece of non-conducting material 60, on which are mounted contact strips 61, one for each sign, or two for each carrier. These contacts are arranged in alinement with the carriers and spaced slightly below the bottom edge thereof. Each clip is provided with an outwardly extending lug 62 and the lugs on the various clips are spaced longitudinally so that one lug only will contact with a given strip 61. Each strip is connected by a wire to other devices, which may thus be operated synchronously with the various signs.

The operation is as ollows: Chains 22 are continuously driven by sprockets 32' in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2. One of the card. carriers is positioned with the flanges of the wheels resting on the strip 15 and the grooves thereof engaging the pieces 55. Then when the clips 23 move upwardly, the guides 25 contact with the extended ends of the upper rod 19, and'cause a lateral displacement of the rod and chain, so that the up er arms are enabled to the ends of the rod. ln'nnediately thereafter the parts slip back llrll O position and the rod ends are engaged by the second arms 24, and carried along with the chain. The car rier is in this manner moved in a semi circle around the upper part on the machine, with the rollers contacting with inner surface of piece 16, and the grooves thereof engaging the edge of plate 10. The rod thus engaged is carried around slot 16 and down slot 13,

a lateral displacement of .theirollerinto slot 9 and ldisengages .the rod from the lug 23.

In the meantime :the loWer edge of the carrier has moved through slots 14.- and 16, until it is positioned opposite slot 12. In moving around slot 16, the rod ends contact With the lower arm 51 of the bell-cranks and push them forwardly, which in turn moves the levers 53 into the path of the lugs 26. As the latter move around, they contact With the under surface of the levers, and raise the latter. This in turn oscillates the bell-cranks, and arm 51 of the latter and forces back the carrier into slot 12. As the carrier movesback ,he rod ends contact with the inclined face of arm l3, *aising this arm .to allow therod to'slip thereunder. As the rollers are in contact in the slot 12, this forces the rearmost one from under arm i-l and allows it to drop into position in slot 11-. Here it is held until it is picked up by the lug 23 :in the manner already described.

It Will be noted that at the bottom of slot 14', the chain is positioned a sufiicient dis tance back, that the lugs23 do not engage the rod ends at this point. .The Weight of the carriers iscarried on the block 6 and on the upper edge of the plate 7, and it is to cause the rollers to move along these memhere that the frame is inclined l62t1'W2t1'Cll y". The metal work of the machine is grounded, and the strips'6l areconnected to the other side of an electric circuit. Hence Whenever a card carrier moves into the rearmost position, the lug on its lower clip engages the corresponding strip 61 and completes an electric circuit to auxiliary devices.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and wish to cover by Letters Patent 1- 1. An apparatus of the character described, a housing having a display opening therein, a pack of card carriers held in an inclined position back of said opening, rectangular guide plates at the sides of said opening, semi-circular plates positioned above the aforesaid plates, grooved rollers on said carriers for cooperation with the edges of said plates, means for moving said carriers around said semic:ircular plate from the back of said rectangular plate to the front thereof, and means for holding said pack while carrier is being moved as aforesaid.

2. An apparatus of the character described comprising a housing having a display opening therein, guide plates back of said opening, a pack of card carriers normally positioned between said plates, grooved rollers on said carriers for cooperation with the edges of said plates, means for moving said carriers from the rear of said pack to the front thereof, spring depressed front and rear arms for holding .nla'; ooenino' therein a )luralit of card- .i a 7 i carriers back of said opening, guide plates I on the sides of said opening, grooved rollers on said carriers for coperation with the edges of said plat-es, chains 'movable in paths substantially parallel to the outer edges of said plates, and lugs on said chain for engagement with said carriers to successsively move the same into position back of said opening.

4L. An apparatus of the character described, comprisinga housing having a display openingtherein, a plurality of card carriers back of said opening, grooved rollers on the edges of said carriers, guide plates forming trackivays for said rollers, endless chains movable in paths substan tially parallel 'to the outer edges of said plates, means carried by said chain for engaging said carriers, and means for disengaging the aforesaid means When the engaged carrier is positioned back of said opening.

5. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a housing having adisplay opening therein, a pack of card carriers back of said opening, rods extending across the top and bottom edgesof said carriers, grooved rollers pivotally mounted on said rods, guide plates forming track- Ways for said rollers, endless chains movable. in paths substantially parallel to the outer edges of said plates, lugs on said chains for engaging the said rod on the rear-most of said carriers, and means for dis engaging said lug therefrom when said carrier has been positioned in front of said pack.

6. A machine of the character described, comprising a casing, a pack of card carriers adapted to be successively positioned back of said opening, grooved rollers carried by said card carriers, trackways for said rollers, endless chains movable substantlally parallel to said trackway, lugs on said. chains for moving said carriers, means for holding said pack While a carrier is being moved, means for displacing said pack laterally, and lugs carried by said chains for operating said displacing means.

7. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a pack of card carriers, grooved rollers revolubly mounted on the corners thereof, guideway for said rollers, means for moving said carriers, one at a time from the back of said pack to the front thereof, spring depressed arms engaging the end carriers of said pack, means operable by said carriers moving means forcing the last moved carrier under said holding means and rearmost carrier into the path of said carrier moving means.

8. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a housing having a display opening therein, rectangular guide plates positioned back of said opening and having their upper ends downwardly inclined toward the rear of said housing, semicircular guide plates in the same plane as the plates aforesaid and spaced therefrom, a pack of card carriers normally held between said rectangular plates, said carriers having grooved rollers adapted to engage the edges of said guide plates, endless chains movable substantially parallel to the outer edges of said plates, lugs on said chains adapted to engage said carrier and move the same from the rear of said pack to the front thereof, and means for disengagin said lugs when said carrier is positioned back of said opening.

9. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a housing having a display opening therein, rectangular guide plates back of said opening having their upper ends downwardly inclined toward the rear of said housing, semi-circular guide plates in the planes of the plates aforesaid and spaced apart therefrom, a pack of card carriers normally positioned between said rectangular plates, grooved rollers on said carriers adapted to engage the edges of said guide plates, endless chains on the outside of said plates and movable substantially parallel to the outer edges thereof, lugs on said chain adapted to engage and move said carriers, means for disengaging said carriers at a predetermined point, and means for holding said carriers while one is being moved as aforesaid.

10. An apparatus of the character described, comprising a housing having a dis play opening therein, rectangular guide plates back of said opening having their up per ends downwardly inclined toward the rear, semi-circular guide plates in the plane of the plates aforesaid and spaced apart therefrom, a pack of card carriers positioned between said rectangular plates, grooved rollers on said carriers for cooperation with the edges of said plates and normally engaging the top and bottom edges of said rectangular plates, endless chains on the outside of said plates and movable substantially parallel to the edges thereof, lugs on said chains adapted to engage said carriers and move them from the rear of the pack to the front thereof, means for pushing said carrier laterally to disengage from said lug when said carrier is positioned behind said opening, spring depressed arms for holding said pack, means for moving said pack laterally along the top of said rectangular plate, and lugs carried by said chains for moving said last mentioned means.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature ARTHUR J. FREEMAN. 

